Tree of silver, leaf of gold
Both were countless ages old
Forever dimmed now are their lights
And his fair jewels removed from sight
Now vows we've taken, oath we've sworn
Despite attempts to Noldor warn
By Manwë, Mandos, Valar strong
Against our pending journey long
The 'Wise' people now leave in hate
Abandon Aman for their fate
Love and peace we leave behind
Pain and ruin, war to find
Mariners won't aid our flight
We draw our swords, prepare to fight.
Teleri blood stains shore this day
While kinslayers flee far away
Fire-Spirit on shore at night
His people set the ships alight
'Who shall they bear hither first?'
He laughed, dared brother to do his worst
Tall Maedhros stands aside alone
Unwilling to see white ships burn.
'Fated' dies on flaming ships
The kiss of death upon his lips
Far back west Fingolfin stands
Watching across to distant lands
From Hither Shore comes light of fire
Its heat outshone by betrayal's ire
Through Helcaraxë trekked our kin
Refusing to forgive our sin
Many died on dreadful road
Elenwë perished in bitter cold
Hatred burned in survivors' heart
Against their kin, refused to part
'Cross grinding ice they reached our side
To hear just how our father died
Our lord, his heir, both lost to Him
The future of the Noldor, dim
Findekano Valiant ends the strife
Climbs the mountain, risks his life
Finds Maedhros caught in hellish chain
Begs cousin dear to end his pain
Great eagle arrives to save the day
Carries rescuer up a safer way
Agonized scream as blade, sun kissed,
Severs arm from elven wrist
No more Maitimo, right hand gone
Becomes the first Erchamion
On the ground, on Hithlum shore
High King searched out second-born
'Eldest among us, and not least wise,
I beg you, take your well-earned prize.'
Crown leaves House of Fëanor
Royalty we are no more
Reunited, Noldor stand
To face the dangers of this land.
1) Fëanor literally means Spirit of Fire
2) 'Who shall they bear hither first' is a direct quotation by Maedhros from the Silmarillion, before his father set the ships alight.
3) Amras' mother-name was Umbarto, or 'Fated'. In his Letters, Tolkien comments on how Amras was supposed to die at the burning of the ships at Losgar.
4) Elenwë was the wife of Turgon, who died while crossing the Helcaraxë.
5) Findekano was the mother-name of Fingon. He was called 'the Valiant'.
6) Maitimo was the mother-name of Maedhros, meaning 'Well-Formed'.
7) Erchamion was what Beren called himself in Doriath after losing his hand to Carcharoth. It means 'One-hand'